Non-alcohol mouthwash accomplishes both tasks easily. Alcohol free mouthwash aids saliva production instead of inhibiting it--this helps your mouth naturally flush out bacteria. Switching to alcohol free mouthwash could save you from dry mouth and an imbalance of bacteria in your mouth resulting in bad breath.
Alcohol-free mouthwash may not completely wipe your mouth clean, but it does target more bad bacteria than good, creating a favourable balance to avoid further complications or bad breath.
Alcohol-free mouthwash is considered to be safer for your teeth because you do not have to worry about your enamel being weakened by the alcohol in your mouthwash or your gums burning while you rinse.
The results showed that rinsing with LISTERINE® COOL MINT® Zero Alcohol Mouthwash reduced bad breath germs by >99.9% and VSC-producing organisms by >99.9% vs baseline. The brush group reduced total microorganisms by 65.3% and VSC-producing organisms by 93% vs baseline.
Other than these conditions, BioMed Research International suggests that alcohol-free mouthwash complements gloss, color, hardness, and tooth composite restorations than alcohol-based mouthwashes. Nonetheless, alcohol-free mouthwashes effectively prevent dental diseases and freshen the breath as well.
For a safe mouthwash you can use every day as part of your regular oral care regimen, try Listerine Zero or Listerine Total Care Zero. These alcohol-free mouthwashes use a combination of essential oils and fluoride to kill bacteria, protect your enamel, and keep your gums healthy.
The downside of using alcohol-based mouthwash is that it sometimes leaves you with a burning sensation in your mouth. Moreover, alcohol can reduce saliva production and lead to dry mouth, a condition known as xerostomia.
Listerine Total Care: The best all-round mouthwash – if you don't mind the sting. Listerine dominates the mouthwash market, and Total Care is its flagship product. Boldly, it claims to kill up to 97% of germs, while reducing plaque by up to 56% more than brushing alone.
Best Alcohol-Free
If you've ever used a mouthwash before, chances are it was Listerine—because it's been around since 1914. This is an updated formula from its classic antiseptic rinse that is made alcohol-free for comfort. This mouthwash helps fight gingivitis and halitosis (also known as bad breath).
alcohol-free mouthwash. Everyone's situation is different. If you have a dry mouth or sensitive gums, a non-alcoholic version will be gentler. But if you're targeting bleeding gums and gingivitis, you'll probably see quicker results from an alcohol-based blend such as Listerine.
Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial used as an active ingredient in certain mouthwash brands. It is a broad spectrum antimicrobial with particular use against bacteria that cause gum disease. Dentists do sometimes employ chlorhexidine mouthwash to treat patients with gum disease.
It may cause dry mouth. Regular or excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out your mouth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even cavities.
The fact is ethanol isn't the only ingredient that can kill germs in your mouth and fight tooth decay. Other options include cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and chlorhexidine gluconate, the latter of which can be used in mouthwashes with or without alcohol.
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.
If you have gingivitis, sensitive teeth or gums, using a mouthwash with alcohol could worsen your symptoms and make the healing process more unpleasant than it needs to be. So now that we know to avoid alcohol in our mouthwash, what is the best mouthwash for periodontitis (periodontal disease)?
In general, people should use mouthwash two times per day: once in the morning and once in the evening after cleaning the teeth. However, if someone does not carry a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss around to clean teeth after each meal, rinsing with mouthwash is certainly better than doing nothing.
Rinse using a mouthwash made specifically to defend against gingivitis and prevent gum problems like Listerine® Total Care Gum Protect Milder Taste Mouthwash. It helps fight germs above and below the gum line to effectively prevent plaque and give you 2x healthier gums vs brushing alone.
Most Listerine products, a popular antiseptic mouthwash brand, cause a burning sensation. Listerine contains menthol, eucalyptol, thymol, methyl salicylate and alcohol. The first four ingredients are essential oils. It is the alcohol and the essential oils in the products that cause the burn.
Alcohol-free mouthwashes are safer to use since they doesn't cause any harm to your teeth's enamel and gums. However, to get optimal results, you should wash your mouth at least 2 times each day, preferably in the morning and at night.
Mouthwash can be used every day if instructed by your dentist. However, make sure to also follow the instructions on your specific product, including how often to use it and how much to use.
“Unfortunately, mouthwash doesn't differentiate and kills all bacteria. As a result, mouthwash can cause harm in the long run because it can disrupt the microbiome and impede the normal functioning of your body.”
Over-brushing, over-flossing, or even using too much teeth whitener can be problematic for your tooth enamel. Mouthwash every day is also a great addition to your oral care routine. If used daily, it is a great way to freshen your breath and kill any harmful bacteria left over after flossing and brushing.
The Xylitol mouthwash killed the most bacteria at a 84% reduction, then the alcohol based mouthwash at 77% reduction and lastly the chemical substitute mouthwash at a 145% growth.